It occurred to me then that I was the opposite of my father. Because I was very, very good at destroying things.

The room went dark and, after a moment, Grace whispered that she loved me, sounding a little sad. I wrapped my arms tightly around her shoulders, sorry that loving me was such a complicated thing.

My mother always said that I was born out of a bottle of vinegar instead of born from a womb and that she and my father bathed me in sugar for three days to wash it off. I try to behave, but I always go back to the vinegar.

The most dangerous and wonderful creature alive is the human.

It's like thinking you're going to heaven, but when you get there it turns out to be Cleveland.

Many, many readers have written asking me wistfully about the nature of Sam and Grace's relationship, and I can assure you, that sort is absolutely real. Mutual, respectful, enduring love is completely attainable as long as you swear you won't settle for less.

That was pretty much all you needed to know about Cole, right there. He saw something he didn't quite understand, liked it, and took it to be his.